Headlight lens with two tunnel sections for separate light entry surfaces for a vehicle headlight

ABSTRACT

Headlight lens for a vehicle headlight having a monolithic body of transparent material, the monolithic body including at least one light entry face, a light passage section and at least one optically operative light exit face.

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/990,081, filed May 29, 2013, which is a U.S. national phase ofPCT/EP2011/005698, filed Nov. 11, 2011. PCT/EP2011/005698 claims thebenefit under the Convention of German Patent Applications No. 10 2010053185.5, filed Dec. 3, 2010, No. 10 2011 009950.6, filed Feb. 1, 2011,and No. 10 2011 107056.0, filed Jul. 11, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a headlight lens for a vehicle headlight, inparticular for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the headlight lensincludes a monolithic body of transparent material including at leastone optically operative (also termed ‘effective’) light entry face andat least one optically operative (effective) light exit face.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

DE 203 20 546 U1 discloses a lens blank-molded on both sides and havinga curved surface, a planar surface and a retention edge integrallymolded onto the lens' edge, wherein a supporting edge of a thickness ofat least 0.2 mm and projecting with respect to the planar surface isintegrally formed onto the retention edge. Herein, the supporting edgeis integrally formed onto the outer circumference of the headlight lens.A further headlight lens having a supporting edge is disclosed e.g. byDE 10 2004 048 500 A1.

DE 20 2004 005 936 U1 discloses a lens for illuminating purposes, inparticular a lens for a headlight for imaging or imaging light emittedfrom a light source and reflected by a reflector for generating apredetermined illumination pattern, said lens having two surfacesopposing each other, wherein areas of different optical dispersioneffects are provided on at least a first surface.

DE 103 15 131 A1 discloses a headlight for vehicles having at least oneextensive luminous field including a plurality of illuminating element(diode)-chips and an optical element arranged in the light path of thelight beam emitted by the luminous field, wherein the illuminatingelement chips of the luminous field are arranged in a common recess, andthat the recess, on a side facing the direction of light emission, hasan outer edge which, in relation to the elimination element chips, isspatially arranged such that a predetermined gradient of light densityis formed in a light dispersion of the headlight in the area of theouter edges.

DE 10 2004 043 706 A1 discloses an optical system for a motor vehicleheadlight for dispersing a beam of light rays from an illuminant, withan optical primary element having an optical face including a break ordiscontinuity extending along a line, being provided, wherein theoptical face is formed to be smooth at least on one side adjacent thediscontinuity so that the beam of light rays is separated into twopartial beams of light rays. Herein, it is provided that at least one ofthe partial beams of light rays has a sharp edge of limitation.Moreover, the optical system comprises an optical secondary element forimaging the sharp edge of limitation on to a predeterminedlight-dark-boundary.

EP 1 357 333 A2 discloses a light source device for a vehicle lightwhich has an element emitting semiconductor light, which element isarranged on an optical axis of the light source device and emits itslight essentially in an orthogonal direction with regard to the opticalaxis.

Further illumination facilities in context with vehicles are disclosedby DE 42 09 957 A1, DE 41 21 673 A1, DE 43 20 554 A1, DE 195 26 512 A1,DE 10 2009 008 631 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,168 and U.S. Pat. No.5,697,690.

It is, in particular, an object of the invention to suggest an improvedheadlight lens for a vehicle headlight, in particular for a motorvehicle headlight. It is a further object of the invention to reduce thecosts for manufacturing vehicle headlights.

SUMMARY

The aforementioned object is achieved by a headlight lens for a vehicleheadlight, in particular for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein theheadlight lens includes a particularly blank-molded monolithic body oftransparent material including at least one (in particular opticallyoperative) light entry face and at least one optically operative lightexit face, wherein the monolithic body comprises a light tunnel which,via a bend, passes (or transits) into a light passage section (of themonolithic body) for imaging the bend as a light-dark-boundary.

An optically operative or effective light entry (sur)face or anoptically operative or effective light exit (sur)face are (constitutedby) an optically operative or effective surface of the monolithic body.In the sense of the invention, an optically operative surface is, inparticular, a surface of the transparent body, at which surface lightwill be refracted, when using the headlight lens according to itspurpose. In the sense of the invention an optically operative surfaceis, in particular, a surface at which the direction of light whichpasses through this surface will be changed when using the headlightlens according to its purpose.

In the sense of the invention, transparent material is particularlyglass. In the sense of the invention, transparent material isparticularly inorganic glass. In the sense of the invention, transparentmaterial is particularly silicate glass. In the sense of the invention,transparent material is particularly glass as described in documentPCT/EP2008/010136. In the sense of the invention, glass particularlycomprises

-   -   0.2 to 2% by weight Al₂O₃,    -   0.1 to 1% by weight Li₂O,    -   0.3 (in particular 0.4) to 1.5% by weight Sb₂O₃,    -   60 to 75% by weight SiO₂,    -   3 to 12% by weight Na₂O,    -   3 to 12% by weight K₂O, and    -   3 to 12% by weight CaO.

In the sense of the invention, the term blank-molding is, in particular,to be understood in a manner that an optically operative surface is tobe molded under pressure such that any subsequent finishing orpost-treatment of the contour of this optically operative surface may bedispensed with or does not apply or will not have to be provided for,respectively. Consequently, it is particularly provided for that, afterblank-molding, a blank-molded surface is not ground, i.e. it need not betreated by grinding.

In the sense of the invention a light tunnel is, in particular,characterized in that essentially total reflection takes place at itslateral (in particular top, bottom, right and/or left) surfaces, so thatlight entering the light entry face is guided through the tunnel as alight conductor or guide. In the sense of the invention a light tunnelis in particular a light guide or light conductor. In particular, it isprovided for that total reflection is achieved at the longitudinalsurfaces of the light tunnel. In particular, it is provided for that thelongitudinal surfaces of the light tunnel are adapted for totalreflection. In particular, it is provided for that total reflection isachieved at the surfaces of the light tunnel essentially oriented in thedirection of the optical axis of the light tunnel. In particular, it isprovided for that the surfaces of the light tunnel essentially orientedin the direction of the optical axis of the light tunnel are adapted fortotal reflection. A light tunnel, in the sense of the invention, inparticular tapers in the direction of its light entry face. A lighttunnel, in the sense of the invention, in particular tapers in thedirection towards its light entry face by at least 3°. A light tunnel,in the sense of the invention, in particular tapers in the directiontowards its light entry face by at least 3° with respect to its opticalaxis. A light tunnel, in the sense of the invention, in particulartapers at least partially in the direction towards its light entry face.A light tunnel, in the sense of the invention, in particular tapers atleast partially in the direction towards its light entry face by atleast 3°. A light tunnel, in the sense of the invention, in particulartapers at least partially in the direction towards its light entry faceby at least 3° with respect to its optical axis.

A bend, in the sense of the invention, is, in particular, a curvedtransition. A bend, in the sense of the invention, is, in particular, acurved transition having a radius of curvature of no less than 50 nm. Itis, in particular, provided for that the surface of the headlight lenshas no break or discontinuity in the bend, but rather a curve orcurvature. It is, in particular, provided for that the surface of theheadlight lens in the bend has a curvature, in particular with a radiusof curvature of the curve in the bend of no less than 50 nm. In anembodiment the radius of curvature is no larger than 5 mm. In anexpedient embodiment the radius of curvature is no more than 0.25 mm, inparticular no more than 0.15 mm, in particular no more than 0.1 mm. Inanother embodiment of the invention the radius of curvature of the curvein the bend is at least 0.05 mm. It is, in particular, provided for thatthe surface of the headlight lens is blank-molded in the region of thebend.

In another embodiment of the invention the light tunnel is arrangedbetween the bend and the light entry face. In another embodiment of theinvention the light passage section is arranged between the bend and thelight exit face. In particular, it is provided that light, which entersthe transparent body through the light entry face and enters the passagesection in the area of the bend of the light tunnel will exit from thelight exit face at an angle of between −20° and 20° with regard to theoptical axis. In particular, it is provided for that light which entersthe transparent body through the light entry face will exit from thelight exit face at an angle of between −20° and 20° with regard to theoptical axis. In particular, it is provided for that light which entersthe transparent body through the light entry face and enters the passagesection in the area of the bend of the light tunnel will exit from thelight exit face essentially in parallel to the optical axis. It is, inparticular, provided for that light, which enters the transparent bodyfrom the light entry face will exit from the light exit face essentiallyin parallel to the optical axis.

In another embodiment of the invention the bend includes an openingangle of at least 90°. In a further expedient embodiment of theinvention the bend includes an opening angle of no more than 150°. Inanother embodiment of the invention the bend is arranged on the surfaceof the light passage section, which surface is facing the light entryface.

In another embodiment of the invention the orthogonal of the light entryface is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the light passagesection. In a further expedient embodiment of the invention the lightentry face is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the lightpassage section at an angle of between 5° and 70°, in particular at anangle of between 20° and 50°.

In another embodiment of the invention the light tunnel comprises anarea on its surface which corresponds essentially to a part of thesurface of an ellipsoid. In a further expedient embodiment of theinvention the light tunnel comprises an area on its surface whichcorresponds essentially to at least 15% of the surface of an ellipsoid.

In another embodiment of the invention the light tunnel comprises aregion on its surface, for which the following applies:

${0.75 \cdot a \cdot \sqrt{1 - \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} - \frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}}} \leq x \leq {1.25 \cdot a \cdot \sqrt{1 - \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} - \frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}}}$${0.75 \cdot b \cdot \sqrt{1 - \frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} - \frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}}} \leq y \leq {1.25 \cdot b \cdot \sqrt{1 - \frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} - \frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}}}$

wherein there is

z a coordinate in the direction (of the optical axis) of the lighttunnel;

x a coordinate orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis of thelight tunnel;

y a coordinate orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis of thelight tunnel;

a a number having a value exceeding (greater than) 0;

b a number having a value exceeding (greater than) 0; and

c a number having a value exceeding (greater than) 0.

In another embodiment of the invention a surface of the light passagesection facing the light tunnel is curved at least in the region of thebend into the transition into the light tunnel, the curvature being, inparticular, convex. In another embodiment of the invention the bend iscurved in its longitudinal extension. In another embodiment of theinvention the bend is curved, in its longitudinal extension, thecurvature having a radius of curvature of between 5 mm and 100 mm. Inanother embodiment of the invention the bend is curved, in itslongitudinal extension, according to a Petzval curvature (also termedPetzval surface).

In a further expedient embodiment of the invention the bend, in itslongitudinal extension, comprises a curvature having a radius ofcurvature in the orientation of the optical axis of the light tunneland/or of the light passage section. In a yet further preferredembodiment of the invention the radius of curvature is orientatedopposite to the light exit face.

In another embodiment of the invention the bend is curved in a firstdirection and in a second direction. In a further expedient embodimentof the invention the first direction is orthogonal to the seconddirection. In another embodiment of the invention the bend is curvedwith a first radius of curvature in a first direction and with a secondradius of curvature in a second direction, wherein the second radius ofcurvature is positioned orthogonal to the first radius of curvature.

In another embodiment a portion of the surface of the passage sectionfacing the light tunnel is designed as a Petzval surface. In anotherembodiment of the invention the surface of the light passage sectionfacing the light tunnel is, in a region in which it transits into thelight tunnel, designed as a Petzval surface.

In another embodiment of the invention the length of the headlight lens,when viewed in the orientation of the optical axis of the light tunneland/or the light passage section amounts to no more than 7 cm.

In another embodiment of the invention the headlight lens or thetransparent body has a further light exit face as well as a furtherlight entry face. In a further expedient embodiment of the invention atleast 20% of the light entering the light entry face and exiting throughthe light exit face will exit through the light exit face after havingexited from the monolithic body through the further light exit face andhaving entered into the monolithic body through the further light entryface. In another embodiment of the invention at least 10%, in particularat least 20% of the light entering the light entry face and exitingthrough the light exit face will exit through the light exit facewithout having exited from the monolithic body through the further lightexit face and without having entered the monolithic body through thefurther light entry face. In a yet further expedient embodiment of theinvention at least 75% of the light entering the light entry face andexiting through the light exit face will exit through the light exitface after having exited from the monolithic body through the furtherlight exit face and having entered the monolithic body through thefurther light entry face. In another embodiment of the invention it isprovided for that light which enters the transparent body through thelight entry face and enters the passage section from the light tunnel inthe region of the bend will either exit from the monolithic body throughthe further light exit face and enter the further light entry face ofthe monolithic body as well as it will exit from the monolithic bodyfrom the light exit face, or it will exit directly from the light exitface (without exiting from the further light exit face from themonolithic body and without entering the further light entry face of themonolithic body).

The aforementioned object is, moreover, achieved by a vehicle headlight,in particular a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the vehicle headlighthas a headlight lens—including in particular one or several of theaforementioned features—as well as a light source for introducing(remark by translator: also termed ‘launching’ or ‘coupling’) light intoor making it enter the first light entry face. In an embodiment of theinvention the light source comprises at least one LED or an array ofLED's. In an expedient embodiment of the invention the light sourcecomprises at least one OLED or an array of OLED's. For example the lightsource may as well be a plane luminous field. The light source may alsocomprise light element chips as have been disclosed by DE 103 15 131 A1.A light source may also be a laser. A laser to be used has beendisclosed in ISAL 2011 Proceedings, page 271ff.

In a further expedient embodiment of the invention the vehicle headlighthas no secondary optic associated with the headlight lens. A secondaryoptic, in the sense of the invention, is in particular an optical devicefor aligning light which exits from the light exit face or from the lastlight exit face of the headlight lens, respectively. A secondary optic,in the sense of the invention, is in particular an optical element foraligning light separated from and/or subordinated with regard to theheadlight lens. A secondary optic, in the sense of the invention is, inparticular, no cover or protection disc, but an optical element providedfor aligning light. As an example for a secondary optic there isdisclosed e.g. a secondary lens in DE 10 2004 043 706 A1.

In particular, there is provided that the bend which is mapped aslight-dark-boundary lies in the lower region of the light tunnel.

In another embodiment of the invention the distance of the light sourcefrom the centre of the light exit face, when seen in the orientation ofthe optical axis of the light tunnel and/or the light passage section,amounts to no more than 10 cm. In another embodiment of the inventionthe length of the vehicle headlight, when seen in the orientation of theoptical axis of the light tunnel and/or the light passage section,amounts to no more than 10 cm.

There may be provided one or several further light sources whose lightis made to enter or is irradiated into the passage section and/or a partof the light tunnel for implementing sign light, country or drive lightand/or curve light. When making such additional light enter the lighttunnel there is, in particular, provided that this occurs in that halfof the light tunnel which is closer to the light passage section and/orin which the light entry face is not provided for.

The aforementioned object is moreover achieved by a headlightlens—comprising in particular one or several of the aforementionedfeatures—for a vehicle headlight, in particular for a motor vehicleheadlight, wherein the headlight lens includes a particularlyblank-molded monolithic body of transparent material and including anoptically operative (effective) first light entry face for making lightenter a first light tunnel section; at least one, in particularoptically operative second light entry face for making light enter asecond light tunnel section; and at least one optically operative lightexit face, wherein the monolithic body comprises a light tunnel intowhich the first light tunnel section and the second light tunnel sectionopen out, wherein the light tunnel, via a bend, passes over (or‘transits’) into a light passage section for imaging the bend as abright-dark-boundary.

In another embodiment of the invention the orthogonal of the first lightentry face is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the lightconductive section. In a further expedient embodiment of the inventionthe first light entry face is inclined with respect to the optical axisof the light passage section at an angle of between 5° and 70°, inparticular at an angle of between 20° and 50°. In another embodiment ofthe invention the orthogonal of the second light entry face is inclinedwith respect to the optical axis of the light passage section. In afurther expedient embodiment of the invention the second light entryface is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the light passagesection at an angle of between 5° and 70°, in particular at an angle ofbetween 20° and 50°.

In another embodiment of the invention the first light tunnel section incomprises an area on its surface which corresponds essentially to a partof the surface of an ellipsoid. In a further expedient embodiment of theinvention the first light tunnel section comprises an area on itssurface which corresponds essentially to at least 20% of the surface ofan ellipsoid. In another embodiment of the invention the second lighttunnel section comprises an area on its surface correspondingessentially to part of an ellipsoid surface. In a further expedientembodiment the second light tunnel section comprises an area on itssurface corresponding essentially to at least 20% of an ellipsoidsurface.

In another embodiment of the invention the light tunnel comprises aregion on its surface, for which the following applies:

${0.75 \cdot a \cdot \sqrt{1 - \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} - \frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}}} \leq x \leq {1.25 \cdot a \cdot \sqrt{1 - \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} - \frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}}}$${{0.75 \cdot b \cdot \sqrt{1 - \frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} - \frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}}} \leq y \leq {1.25 \cdot b \cdot \sqrt{1 - \frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} - \frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}}}}},$

in which

z is a coordinate in the direction (of the optical axis) of the lighttunnel;

x is a coordinate orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis of thelight tunnel;

y is a coordinate orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis of thelight tunnel;

a is a number having a value greater than 0;

b is a number having a value greater than 0; and

c is a number having a value greater than 0.

The aforementioned object is moreover achieved by a vehicle headlight,in particular a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the vehicle headlighthas a headlight lens—including in particular one or several of theaforementioned features—as well as a first light source for introducinglight into the first light entry face and at least a second light sourcefor introducing light into the second light entry face. In an embodimentof the invention the first and/or the second light sources include atleast one LED or an array of LEDs. In an expedient embodiment of theinvention the first and/or the second light sources comprise at leastone OLED or an array of OLEDs. For example, the first and/or the secondlight sources may well be a plane luminous field. The first and/or thesecond light sources may also include light element chips as have beendisclosed by DE 103 15 131 A1.

In a further expedient embodiment of the invention the vehicle headlighthas no secondary optic associated with the headlight lens. A secondaryoptic, in the sense of the invention, is in particular an optical devicefor aligning light which exits from the light exit face or from the lastlight exit face of the headlight lens, respectively. A secondary optic,in the sense of the invention, is in particular an optical element foraligning light separated from and/or subordinated with regard to theheadlight lens. A secondary optic, in the sense of the invention, is, inparticular, no cover disc or protection plate, but an optical elementprovided for aligning light. As an example for a secondary optic thereis disclosed e.g. a secondary lens in DE 10 2004 043 706 A1.

In particular, there is provided that the bend which is mapped aslight-dark-boundary lies in the lower region of the light tunnel.

In another embodiment of the invention the distance of the first and/orof the second light sources from the centre of the light exit face, whenseen in the orientation of the optical axis of the light tunnel and/orthe light passage section, amounts to no more than 10 cm. In anotherembodiment of the invention the length of the vehicle headlight, whenseen in the orientation of the optical axis of the light tunnel and/orthe light passage section, amounts to no more than 10 cm.

There may be provided one or several further light sources whose lightis made to enter or is irradiated into the passage section and/or a partof the light tunnel for implementing sign light, country or drive lightand/or curve light. When making such additional light enter the lighttunnel there is, in particular, provided that this occurs in that halfof the light tunnel which is closer to the light passage section and/orin which the light entry face is not located.

In another embodiment of the invention the light source and the (first)light entry face are designed and associated with each other such thatlight from the light source enters the light entry face at a luminousflux density of at least 75 lm/mm².

The aforementioned headlight lenses may be manufactured by means of aprocess in which the monolithic body is blank-molded between a firstpartial mold and at least one second partial mold such

-   -   that a first region of the first light entry face is formed by        means of the first partial mold and a second region of the first        light entry face is molded by means of the second partial mold;    -   that a first region of the first light exit face is formed by        means of the first partial mold and a second region of the first        light exit face is formed by means of the second partial mold;    -   that a first region of the second light entry face is formed by        means of the first partial mold and a second region of the        second light entry face is formed by means of the second partial        mold and/or    -   that a first region of the second light exit face is formed by        means of the first partial mold and a second region of the        second light exit face is formed by means of the second partial        mold.

In pressing, it is particularly provided for that the first partial moldand the second partial mold are moved to approach each other. Herein,the first partial mold may be made to approach the second partial moldand/or the second partial mold can be made to approach the first partialmold.

Alternatively, the aforementioned headlight lenses may be manufacturedby means of a common injection molding procedure. Furthermore, theaforementioned optical components or headlight lenses, respectively, mayalternatively be manufactured by means of a procedure disclosed in DE 112008 003 157, wherein it is, in particular, provided for that a blank ofglass is heated such that it assumes a viscosity of between 10⁴ Pa*s and10⁵ Pa*s, in particular of between 10⁴ Pa*s and 5·10⁴ Pa*s, and whereinthe blank is press-molded after heating in an injection pressure mold topress-form a headlight lens.

It may be provided for that a light entry face in the sense of theinvention and/or a light exit face in the sense of the invention has alight dispersing structure. A light dispersing structure, in the senseof the invention, may, for example, be a structure as has been disclosedin DE 10 2005 009 556 A1 and in EP 1 514 148 A1 or EP 1 514 148 B1,respectively. It may be provided for that a light tunnel, in the senseof the invention, is coated. It may be provided for that a light tunnel,in the sense of the invention, is coated with a reflective coating orlayer. It may be provided for that a light tunnel, in the sense of theinvention, is provided with a reflective coating.

In the sense of the invention, a motor vehicle is, in particular, a landvehicle to be used individually in road traffic. In the sense of theinvention, motor vehicles are, in particular, not restricted to landvehicles including a combustion engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 2 shows an example of an embodiment of a headlight lens for use inthe motor vehicle according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cut-out representation of a headlight lens of the motorvehicle headlight lens according to FIG. 2 by way of a perspective viewfrom below;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged representation of a cut-out cross section of abend for the transition of a light tunnel into a passage section of aheadlight lens according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a cut-out representation of a headlight lensaccording to FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a cut-out representation of a light tunnelof headlight lens of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 shows an example of embodiment for an ellipsoid;

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional representation of the ellipsoid accordingto FIG. 7 with a superimposed representation of a portion of the lighttunnel represented in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of an example of embodiment of a headlight lensfor alternative use in the headlight lens according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a further example of embodiment of aheadlight lens for alternative use in the motor vehicle headlightaccording to FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the headlight lens according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a rear view of the headlight lens according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 shows a bright-dark-boundary generated by means of the headlightlens according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 shows a side view of a further example of embodiment of aheadlight lens for alternative use in the motor vehicle headlightaccording to FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 shows a top view of the headlight lens according to FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 shows a rear view of the headlight lens according to FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 shows a principle representation of an example of embodiment forsuperimposing two ellipsoids;

FIG. 18 shows a side view of a further example of embodiment of a motorvehicle headlight for use in the motor vehicle according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 19 shows a top view of the motor vehicle headlight according toFIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an example of embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 including amotor vehicle headlight 10. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the motorvehicle headlight 10 having a headlight lens 100, but without a housing,fittings and energy supply, with the headlight lens 100 beingrepresented in FIG. 3 in a cut-out manner by way of a perspective bottomview (view from below). The headlight lens 100 comprises a blank-moldedmonolithic body of inorganic glass, in particular glass, which comprises

-   -   0.2 to 2% by weight Al₂O₃,    -   0.1 to 1% by weight Li₂O,    -   0.3 (in particular 0.4) to 1.5% by weight Sb₂O₃,    -   60 to 75% by weight SiO₂,    -   3 to 12% by weight Na₂O,    -   3 to 12% by weight K₂O, and    -   3 to 12% by weight CaO.

The blank-molded monolithic body comprises a light tunnel 108, which, onits one side, has a light entry face 101 and, on another side, passes(or transits) into a light passage (guide or conductive) section 109 (ofthe blank-molded monolithic body) via a bend 107 curved in two spatialdirections, which section 109 has a light exit face 102, a light entryface 103 as well as a further light exit face 104. The headlight lens100 is designed such that light entering the headlight lens 100 throughthe light entry face 101 and, in the region of the bend 107, enteringthe passage section from the light tunnel 108 will exit from the lightexit face 104 essentially in parallel to the optical axis 120 of theheadlight lens 100. Herein, the light passage section 109 maps the bend107 as a light (or bright)/dark-boundary. A portion of the surface ofthe light passage section 109 facing the light tunnel 108 is designed asa Petzval surface, said surface portion having been designated byreference numeral 110.

The headlight lens 10 includes a light source 11 designed as an LED anda light source 12 designed as an LED. For the purpose of implementingdimmed headlights light is irradiated into or made to enter,respectively, the light entry face 101 of the light tunnel 108 by meansof the light source 11. By means of light source 12, which may beswitched-on selectively for implementing a sign light or a drive/flashlight, light is, respectively, introduced or irradiated into a bottomside of the light tunnel 108 or into the portion 110 of the surface ofthe light passage section 109 facing the light tunnel 108, which portion110 is designed as a Petzval surface.

FIG. 4 shows, by way of an enlarged representation, a cut-out of thebend 107 for transitory passing of the light tunnel 108 into the lightpassage section 109, the bend 107 being formed by blank-molding anddesigned as a continuous, curved transition.

FIG. 5 shows a cut-out representation of a side view of the headlightlens 100. FIG. 6 shows an enlarged cut-out representation of a part ofthe light tunnel 108 up to the dotted line in FIG. 5 designated byreference numeral 111. The upper portion of the part of the light tunnelas shown in FIG. 6 has been designed as an ellipsoid 150 as representedin FIG. 7. Herein, the dotted line 111 approximately corresponds to theaxis C-D. For clarifying this embodiment, a part of the cross section ofthe light tunnel 108 in FIG. 8 is shown in a manner overlaying therepresentation of the ellipsoid 150. For the ellipsoid 150 representedin FIG. 7 the following applies:

${\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} + \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} + \frac{z^{2}}{c^{2}} - 1} = 0$

Herein, there is

z a coordinate in the direction of the optical axis of the light tunnel(A→B);

x a coordinate orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis of thelight tunnel; and

y a coordinate orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis of thelight tunnel and to the x-direction (D→C).

a, b and, consequently, c have been chosen such that all light beams orrays which pass through focus F1 will concentrate again in focus F2after mirroring in the surface of the ellipsoid. The course of the beamsof light from the light source 11, which is irradiated into or made toenter the light entry face 101 is illustrated by the light beams 121 and122 depicted in FIG. 6. Reference numeral 120 of FIG. 6 designates theorthogonal of the light entry face 101. The mutual point of intersectionof orthogonal 120 of the light entry face 101 with the light beams 121and 122 has been designated by reference numeral 115. The position ofthis point of intersection 115 corresponds to focus F1 in FIG. 7 andFIG. 8.

FIG. 9 shows a side elevation of a headlight lens 200 in its intendedalignment (within a motor vehicle headlight), which lens 200 is to beused alternatively with regard to headlight lens 100. The headlight lens200 comprises a blank-molded monolithic body of inorganic glass andincluding a light tunnel 208, which has a light entry face 201 on oneside and, on another side, transits into a light passage or conductivesection 209 (of the blank-molded monolithic body) via a bend 207 curvedin three spatial dimensions, which light conductive section 209 includesa light exit face 202, a light entry face 203, as well as a furtherlight exit face 204. The headlight lens 200 is shaped such that (all)light, which enters the headlight lens 200 through the light entry face201, and from the light tunnel 208 enters the passage section in theregion of the bend 207, will exit from the light exit face 204essentially parallel to the optical axis of the headlight lens 200.Herein, the light passage section 209 maps the bend 207 as alight-dark-boundary. A portion of the surface of the light passagesection 209 designated by reference numeral 210 and facing the lighttunnel 208 is shaped as a Petzval surface.

FIG. 10 shows a headlight lens 300 by way of a side elevation in itsintended alignment (within a motor vehicle headlight), which lens 300 isto be used alternatively with regard to headlight lens 100. FIG. 11shows the headlight lens 300 by way of a top new and FIG. 12 shows theheadlight lens 300 from the rear. The headlight lens 300 comprises ablank-molded monolithic body of inorganic glass, which body comprises alight tunnel 308, which has a light exit face 301 on one side and, onthe other side, passes over into a light passage or conductive section309 (of the blank-molded monolithic body) via a bend 307 curved in thetwo spatial dimensions, which light passage section 309 includes a lightexit face 302. The headlight lens 300 is shaped such that light whichenters the headlight lens 300 through the light entry face 301 and, fromthe light tunnel 308 enters the passage section in the region of thebend 307 will exit from the light exit face 302 essentially in parallelto the optical axis of the headlight lens 300. Herein, the light passagesection 309 maps the bend 307 as a light-dark-boundary, as has beendepicted in FIG. 13. A portion of the surface of the light passagesection 309 designated by reference numeral 310 and facing the lighttunnel 308 is shaped as a Petzval surface. A rim or edge, in particulara circumferential edge, may be provided on the section designated byreference numeral 330 of the surface of the passage section 309, bymeans of which edge the headlight lens 300 may be fixed in aparticularly appropriate manner.

FIG. 14 shows a side elevation of a headlight lens 400 in its intendedalignment (within a motor vehicle headlight), which lens 400 is to beused alternatively with regard to headlight lens 100. FIG. 15 shows theheadlight lens 400 by way of a top view, and FIG. 16 shows the headlightlens 400 from the rear. The headlight lens 400 comprises a blank-moldedmonolithic body of inorganic glass, which body includes a light tunnelsection 408A and a light tunnel section 408B, which sections open outin(to) a light tunnel 408 which, in turn, transits into a light passagesection 409 (of the blank-molded monolithic body) via a bend 407 curvedin two spatial directions, which section 409 includes a light exit face402, a light entry face 403, as well as a further light exit face 404.The light tunnel section 408A includes a light entry face 401A, and thelight tunnel section 408B includes a light entry face 401B. Theheadlight lens 400 is shaped such that light which enters the headlightlens 400 through the light entry faces 401A and 401B and enters thepassage section from the light tunnel 408 in the region of the bend 407,will exit from the light exit face 404 essentially in parallel to theoptical axis of the headlight lens 400. Herein, the light passagesection 409 maps the bend 407 as a bright-dark-boundary. A portion ofthe surface of the light passage section 409 designated by referencenumeral 410 and facing the light tunnel 408 is shaped as a Petzvalsurface.

At least in their upper region, the light tunnel sections 408A and 408Bare designed—taken in analogy to the explanations relating to FIG. 6—aspart of an ellipsoid, as has been represented in principle in FIG. 17.Herein, reference numeral 150A designates an ellipsoid associated withthe light tunnel section 408A, and reference numeral 150B designates anellipsoid associated with the light tunnel section 408B. The ellipsoids150A and 150B are, as has been represented in FIG. 17, aligned inrelation to each other such that the respective focuses F2 will lie ontop of each other. At the points designated by reference numerals 151Aand 151B or starting at points 151A and 150B, respectively, (in thedirection of light propagation or towards the right, respectively), thesurface contour of the headlight lens 400 deviates from the contour ofan ellipsoid. Herein, the angles α_(A) and α_(S) indicate the directionsof a deviation from the elliptic shape.

FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 show a motor vehicle headlight 10A to be usedalternatively with regard to motor vehicle headlight 10. Herein, FIG. 18shows a side elevation of the motor vehicle headlight 10A, and FIG. 19shows a top view of the motor vehicle headlight 10A. The motor vehicleheadlight 10A comprises the headlight lens 100 as well as the lightsource 11. In addition, for implementing a corner or curve light and/ora front fog light, light sources 15 and 16 designed as LED have beenprovided. It may as well be provided for that in addition the lightsource 12 is implemented within the motor vehicle headlight 10A.

For implementing a corner light the light sources 15 and 16 may beswitched on alternatively. In this context, a non-shown control isprovided for in the motor vehicle 1, by means of which the light source15 may be switched-on for the time of driving round a left corner andlight source 16 may be switched-on for the time of driving round a rightcorner. For implementing a front fog light either the light source 16,only, or both light sources 15 and 16 are switched-on.

The elements, distances and angles in the figures have been drawn inconsideration of simplicity and clearness and not necessarily to scale.Thus, for example, the orders of magnitude of some elements, distancesand angles have been exaggerated with respect to other elements,distances and angles in order to improve comprehension of the example ofembodiment of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Vehicle comprising a headlight, theheadlight comprising a light source arrangement and a headlight lens oftransparent material, the headlight lens having: a light passagesection; and a light tunnel passing over into the light passage sectionvia a bend that is curved in a vertical plane and the radius ofcurvature in the vertical plane is no smaller than 0.05 mm, the lighttunnel comprising: a first light tunnel section including a first lightentry surface; and a second light tunnel section including a secondlight entry surface, wherein the first light tunnel section and thesecond light tunnel section merge into the light tunnel, and wherein thelight passage section includes an optically operative light exit surfacebeing configured for imaging the bend as a substantially horizontallight-dark-boundary by means of light of the light source arrangementirradiated into the first light entry surface and the second light entrysurface.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first light tunnelsection comprises a region on its surface which corresponds essentiallyto a part of the surface of an ellipsoid.
 3. The vehicle of claim 2,wherein the second light tunnel section comprises a region on itssurface which corresponds essentially to a part of the surface of anellipsoid.
 4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the first light entrysurface is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the lightpassage section at an angle of between 5° and 70°.
 5. The vehicle ofclaim 4, wherein the second light entry surface is inclined with respectto the optical axis of the light passage section at an angle of between5° and 70°.
 6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the bend is curved in itslongitudinal extension.
 7. Vehicle headlight comprising a light sourcearrangement and a headlight lens, the headlight lens having: amonolithic body of transparent material, the monolithic body including:a light passage section having at least one optically operative lightexit surface; a light tunnel passing over into the light passage sectionvia a bend that is curved in a vertical plane and the radius ofcurvature in the vertical plane is no smaller than 0.05 mm; the lighttunnel comprising: a first light tunnel section including a first lightentry surface, the first light tunnel section merging into the lighttunnel; a second light tunnel section including a second light entrysurface, the second light tunnel section merging into the light tunnel;and the light passage section being configured for imaging the bend as asubstantially horizontal light-dark-boundary by means of light of thelight source arrangement irradiated into the first light entry surfaceand the second light entry surface.
 8. The headlight of claim 7, whereinthe bend is curved in its longitudinal extension.
 9. The headlight ofclaim 8, wherein the first light tunnel section comprises a region onits surface which corresponds essentially to a part of the surface of anellipsoid.
 10. The headlight of claim 9, wherein the second light tunnelsection comprises a region on its surface which corresponds essentiallyto a part of the surface of an ellipsoid.
 11. Vehicle headlightcomprising a light source arrangement and a headlight lens beingconfigured to project a substantially horizontal light-dark boundary,the headlight lens having: a monolithic body of transparent material,the monolithic body including: a light passage section having at leastone optically operative light exit surface; a light tunnel passing overinto the light passage section via a bend that is curved in a verticalplane and the radius of curvature in the vertical plane is no smallerthan 0.05 mm, wherein it is provided for that total reflection isachieved at surfaces of the light tunnel essentially oriented in adirection of an optical axis of the light tunnel; a first light tunnelsection including a first light entry surface; the first light tunnelsection merging into the light tunnel; a second light tunnel sectionincluding a second light entry surface; the second light tunnel sectionmerging into the light tunnel; and the light passage section beingconfigured for imaging the bend as the substantially horizontallight-dark-boundary by means of light of the light source arrangementirradiated into the first light entry surface and the second light entrysurface.
 12. The headlight of claim 11, wherein the first light tunnelsection comprises a region on its surface which corresponds essentiallyto a part of the surface of an ellipsoid.
 13. The headlight of claim 12,wherein the second light tunnel section comprises a region on itssurface which corresponds essentially to a part of the surface of anellipsoid.